Dining at a three-Michelin star restaurant is something unforgettable, elevating guests to the status of dignitaries and presidents. It means being catered to in every sense of the word: by ambiance, service and especially, heart-stopping flavors. For Quince — and Chef Michael Tusk and his wife and co-owner Lindsay Tusk — receiving three Michelin stars propels them into the realm of famed San Francisco restaurants The French Laundry and Saison. By all accounts, they seem to be ready for the challenge.

About Quince

Chef Tusk’s vision revolves around classic Italian with a contemporary twist. However, that simple description is basically like saying that Monet’s work revolved around impressionism and everyday scenery. The delicate way that each ingredient is caressed into being and plated elegantly is hard to describe. Dishes appear simple at first glance, until one lifts them into the mouth, where they promptly explode in waterfalls of taste and texture. Black cod with ruby beet, Brussels sprout and cauliflower rolls off the tongue really softly, but shows up at the table arranged like a work of art.

The Dining Experience

Dishes appear to have a common theme based on a country garden. Multi-colored flowers intermingle with pasta and carefully-chosen herbs on the plate. The experience seems almost playful as the tasting menu progresses on. Expect rich colors to pop out, and flavors that range from intense to subtle. Each element is cooked to point, resulting in tantalizing asparagus that’s succulent but still vibrantly green and tender venison drizzled with scarlet drops of pomegranate and pristine watercress.

The tasting menu for the dining room changes seasonally to catch fruits and vegetables at peak, whereas the salon has an a la carte menu with heavy emphasis on elite caviar preparations. The price for the extended-course tasting menu — with selections like bay scallops with cardoon, Monterey Bay squid and crosne — reflects the restaurant’s three Michelin star status at around $250-$300 per person.

Special Events

One aspect of dining at Quince that is especially exciting are the special events that pop up frequently. They involve collaborative menus between Chef Tusk and visiting Michelin-star chefs from around the world, dishes inspired by local and international celebrations or theme menus just for the sake of artistic expression. The basic ambiance is like having a backstage pass to chat with B.B. King or Eric Clapton and watch them have an informal jam session with a few friends.

Private Dining

Sharing an intimate celebration at Quince with a group of friends or family is a moment that no one is likely to forget, ever. The North Room and South Room both host groups of 12 surrounded by warm brick in Italian tradition. It’s also possible to reserve the entire restaurant, including bar, dining room and salon, for either lunch or dinner, all catered by Chef Tusk.